On a quiet street in North Knoxville, the life of Benjamin Collins 'Ben' Jernigan, a 28-year-old Caucasian male, came to a tragic and senseless end in the pre-dawn hours of October 8, 2016. A veteran of the United States Navy, a talented artist, and a beloved musician, Jernigan was on his way home after a night out with friends when a minor vehicle issue led to a fatal encounter.
Jernigan was driving his blue Lincoln Town Car when it stalled just after crossing a set of railroad tracks
on Fairfax Avenue, only a few blocks from his residence. Unbeknownst to him, a safety device designed to shut off the fuel pump in a rear-impact collision had been inadvertently tripped when his car bottomed out on the tracks. Stranded, it appears Jernigan was attempting to diagnose the problem, with the car's owner's manual found out of the glovebox.
It was during this vulnerable moment that he was confronted by an unknown assailant. Evidence at the scene suggested a robbery had taken place, though Jernigan had little money on him. The encounter turned deadly when Jernigan was shot once at point-blank range. A nearby resident discovered the stalled vehicle around 5:45 a.m. and called 911. Responding officers found Jernigan deceased inside his car.
The investigation into his murder was immediately launched by the Knoxville Police Department. Despite canvassing the neighborhood and following up on leads, the case grew cold. Investigators believe the killing was a random act of violence, a crime of opportunity. No weapon was recovered from the scene, and DNA tests were inconclusive. As of late 2025, there have been no arrests made in connection with the murder of Ben Jernigan, and no suspects have been publicly identified. His family and the police continue to appeal to the public for any information that might bring his killer to justice.
